Every child will have more than one special gift or talent; it is important we recognise and develop this potential in all our students.

Within this framework, the school also works to identify those students who:

Are identified through their primary schools and their Key Stage 2 SATS tests, as being among the most able academically, on entry to the school

Are identified by specific subject areas as being high achieving in that aspect of the curriculum

Have a specific talent within a sporting or creative arena; be that a student who excels at a particular sport, a particular instrument, creatively or in performance

Our aim is then to support identified students through effective mentoring, communication with parents and the opportunity to experience a variety of enrichment activities.

Within this broad framework, we also support the needs of more able students through our grouping policy, which means that in key areas of the curriculum, including English, Maths, Science, Humanities, Modern Foreign Languages and Physical Education, more able students may be grouped by ability. In some subjects this grouping starts in Year 7 and for other subjects, it will begin later on in Key Stage 3 or 4.

Key Stage 4 students also have the opportunity to study further GCSE or A/S level courses in after school provision, either delivered at Richard Lander School or at Truro College.

Additionally, many students have leadership qualities, which often go beyond pure academic ability. This talent is nurtured and developed through a variety of leadership activities, challenges and competitions. This includes: The Junior Sports Leader and Junior Language Leader awards, the Youth Speaks and Mock Trial competitions and through the Student Leadership and Student Council forums.

We also offer a range of other activities to support Gifted and Talented students. This includes: university visits, a range of notable visiting speakers and participation in subject based national challenges, such as the Gorsedh Literary Festival, World Maths Day challenges, Junior Chef awards, Young Designer awards, among many others.

For additional information relating to the Gifted and Talented provision at Richard Lander School please email